This part is written by Roswellian Princess 2001

Part 12

Maria couldn't remember a day that she had ever been so happy. She had taken Michael all over the city, showing him different sites. He found the pier to be too crowded, but then she took him to one of her favorite spots by the water. They sat in the sand together and watched as the boats went by.

Maria was sitting between Michael's legs, with his arms wrapped around her. "You know, Spaceboy, I think I could stay like this forever."

Michael hugged her tighter. "I have to agree with you. It's just so peaceful here. No evil aliens or Max's to bother us."

Maria giggled. "You know you would be so bored if you didn't have Max pushing you."

"I guess. But there are days when I think I could just smack him."

Maria picked up his hand and kissed his knuckle. "I understand, honey."

She hated when Michael felt like he wasn't worth as much as Max. Max had a way of making Michael feel about two inches tall. Michael held his own, but she knew there were times when it really hurt him. It was those days that Maria felt like hitting Max herself.

"We better get back to the Manor. Maybe Liz called to say when they were getting in," Maria suggested.

Michael sighed, then rose and helped Maria to her feet. He was just about to kiss her when he saw a flash out of the corner of his eye. Pushing Maria to the ground he turned and saw a blue haired guy standing a few feet away.

The Flazar demon fired again, this time hitting Michael in the arm. Michael withstood the blast, firing back one of his own.

Maria scrambled to her feet, standing behind Michael. "Leo! Please!" she screamed.

Michael continued to fight. The demon came close enough for Michael to hit with his fist, but dodged the blow, throwing Michael off balance.

After knocking Michael to the ground he approached Maria. His eyes locked with hers, sending her into a trance. She stopped backing away and allowed the demon to come closer.

"Maria!" Michael screamed. "Get away from him!"

The demon was about to reach out to her when Leo orbed in behind her. He grabbed Maria and threw her to Michael who was waiting with open arms. "Get her out of here!" he yelled.

After breaking eye contact with the demon Maria snapped out of her dazed state. She turned and saw Leo staring down the creature. "No, Michael. We can't leave him," she said trying to pull her hand out of his grasp.

"Maria! Get out of here!"

Maria turned and saw her sisters and Cole approaching. She watched as all three engaged the demon. Phoebe was levitating and kicking him from one side while Cole was trying to fight him from the other. Finally, Piper was able to freeze the demon, and Prue was able to vanquish him.

After the demon disappeared they all ran to Maria. "Are you OK?" asked Cole.

Maria nodded. "I think so." She turned to Michael and saw an angry gash on his forehead. "Oh, baby. You're hurt."

"I'm fine Maria. Are you sure you're OK? That guy had you in some kind of daze." He was running his hands along her neck soothingly.

"I don't really know what happened. I saw him hurting you, but then I don't remember anything until Leo pushed me out of the way. It's like I had a blackout or something."

Michael pulled her into his arms and hugged her. He could feel her shaking. Wrapping the edges of his jacket around he her, he did his best to keep her warm.

He looked over her head to the others. "I want to get her back to the Manor."

Cole nodded. "Your friends called to say that their plane would be landing in a few hours. Let's get Maria back to the house, and then you can go to the airport and pick them up," he told Michael.

"No, Michael," Maria said from his chest. "I want to go with you. I want to be there when they get in."

Pure immediately disagreed. "Maria it's obvious that The Source knows who you are. You can't go to a place that's so public. You.."

"No, Prue," Maria said pulling away from Michael. "I refuse to let this guy rule my life. I will not stay behind lock and key. Yeah, today was close, but nothing happened. Next time I will be more prepared. If you show me how to use my powers, then maybe next time I will be able to do more."

Prue, Piper, and Phoebe could understand how she felt. Not a day went by that they wished they could lead a normal life. But they also had a better comprehension of how important it was not to take unnecessary risks.

"Maria, let Michael go to the airport tonight, and I will show you how to do some things," said Leo. He knew no one was going to give, so he was going to compromise.

Maria knew there was no winning this argument. She nodded her head, then returned it to it's safe place against Michael's chest.

Upon returning to the Manor Maria went upstairs to rest, and Michael borrowed Prue's jeep to pick up their friends.

While waiting for the others to return Prue, Piper, and Phoebe were thumbing through the book of shadows to located the identity of Maria's attacker.

"Here it is!" cried Phoebe. "The book says he was a Falzar Demon. 'With the ability to control the mind, the Falzar Demon can make his victims submit to his whim.' Wow."

"Sounds like The Source wanted Maria alive. Why else would he send someone to control her mind. He could have just sent an assassin," replied Piper.

"I don't know. But what I do know is that The Source now knows who Maria is," said Prue. "And if we don't show her what she is capable of, she is never going to be able to protect herself. Furthermore, if today is any indication, the aliens are not going to be any help. Michael seemed to barely put a dent in that demon."
"That's because he knew how to fight back," came a voice in the doorway.

The girls turned to see Michael standing in the doorway, with six teenagers standing behind him.

"What do you mean he knew?" asked Piper.

"Come downstairs so we can discuss it. I am going to go and wake up Maria, she'll want to know that everyone is here."

The girls nodded, leading the way for the other teenagers downstairs into the living room.

Michael knocked softly on Maria's door, but got no response. He knocked harder, but again nothing. He tried to the handle and found it locked. Frantically, he used his powers to undo the lock and threw open the door.

In the darkness he could see the form of a small person laying on the bed. He ran over to it, and saw that Maria was peacefully sleeping. He shook her.

"What…Michael?" She could see the fear etched on his face. "What's the matter?"

"I knocked and you didn't answer. Then I tried the handle and it was locked. I was afraid that maybe someone took you or something."

Maria ran a hand through his spiky hair. "I guess I was just really asleep. And that door has a tendency to lock on it's own. Sorry, baby, if I worried you. But as you can see, I am just fine."

Michael layed his forehead against hers and breathed in deeply, trying to calm his nerves. "There are some people downstairs who are kind of anxious to see you."

Maria looked at him warily. "Are you sure they're not angry?"

"No. They just want to see you, to make sure you're alright."

Maria took a deep breath and rose off the bed. "Then let's go show them."

TBC